Happy Bowling Day!

Today is U.S. Bowling League Day for 2024. . .

Happy National Bowling Day ! ! ! 

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Bowling Leagues:
Origination: Many people interested in bowling history know about the National Bowling League (NBL). This league featured five-player teams from different cities, modeled after Major League Baseball, and played in specially designed arenas over six months. Today, this idea seems strange. To grasp why it once seemed possible, we need to look back over fifty years. In 1961, bowling was thriving. In just five years, the number of bowling centers grew by 25%. AMF and Brunswick were popular stocks on the New York Stock Exchange. Athletic banquets often included bowlers as guests. During the bowling season, many newspapers published bowling news multiple times a week, with some even having a dedicated bowling editor. Two key facts highlight bowling’s success: Therman Gibson earned $75,000 for six consecutive strikes on the “Jackpot Bowling” TV show in 1961, which was more than what Mickey Mantle made in a whole season. Also, in 1961, out of 110 million adults in the U.S., 6.5 million participated in sanctioned leagues—about one in every 17 people. Thus, the idea of a National Bowling League in 1961 was not so far-fetched. The concept of an intercity bowling league had been discussed since 1904, and a few regional leagues had already existed. Leonard Homel, a proprietor from Los Angeles, was the one who turned this dream into reality, at least temporarily. In 1959, he created a 54-page plan for a national pro league and placed a blind ad in The Wall Street Journal looking for investors for “a new and unusual bowling promotion.” He received over 100 responses, mostly positive, but no one was willing to invest. Then, in January 1960, Bowlers Journal published a story by Don Snyder about the proposed league, sparking interest in the bowling community. Maybe Homel’s plan could actually work.

Types of Bowling Relevant to League Bowling:
League Bowling: League bowling consists of a group event where several teams compete against each other over a season. Leagues typically consist of four-player teams that meet weekly or bi-weekly at a set day and time, with three or five-player teams also being common. Leagues can be male-only, female-only, or mixed. They were established in the late 1800s and can be organized by bowling alleys or by groups like companies, churches, or labor unions. During each session, teams face off against each other, playing three games per match. Players bowl in a specific order across two lanes, switching lanes after each frame to ensure fair conditions. Player averages are set after the first week and may change as more games are played. Handicaps based on averages help level the playing field, allowing lower average teams to compete against higher average teams. Some leagues are casual, while others are highly competitive, with disputes over fouls or intentionally lowering averages to gain an advantage. Additionally, membership in the USBC has declined, signaling a decrease in league participation. However, the number of lanes per bowling center has slightly increased over time, and there has been a recent uptick in bowling center employment due to diversification into broader entertainment offerings. Many leagues offer cash prizes and betting pools, adding an extra incentive for players. Strike and spare pools, as well as side poker games, are common ways to make things more interesting. Jackpots for high scores, mystery games, and other prizes are also popular. The goal is to enhance the friendly competition and keep players engaged throughout the season.
Tournament Bowling: Tournament bowling is a form of bowling whereby the competition of either league bowling or high stakes competition get together and run a playoff. A typical tournament format has each bowler rolling eighteen qualifying games, three blocks of six games. All scores added together and the top twenty-four advance to match play. Positional ties are broken by whichever bowler had the highest single-game total. The tournaments are from different backgrounds and range from popularity all the way and up to being on television. Tournaments are not available to the novice, and are more reserved for the best rolling bowlers to the professional. There are often awards, trophies, pots and sweepstakes connected with being a champion in a tournament.

The Game of Bowling:
What is the Concept of Bowling? The origins of bowling can be traced to approximately 3200 B.C. in ancient Egypt, where British archaeologists unearthed bowling artifacts within a child’s tomb. It is believed that the game initially served as a religious ceremony, in which participants rolled a stone towards a Kegel, with the belief that striking it down would absolve them of their sins.

What is the Basic Concept of Bowling? Bowling is both a game and a sport that involves rolling a heavy ball down a long, narrow lane in an attempt to strike down a set of objects referred to as pins, with the objective of knocking down a greater number of pins than one’s opponent. the majority of cowling centers and modern forms of bowling are based on standard 10-pin bowling. There is also the form of bowling called candlepin bowling and also duckpin bowling. There are also various different renditions of using less than 10 pins.

The Game:
Rules: The game of bowling is played with the following general regulation:

• Ten Frames in a Bowling Game:  In a standard bowling game, there are a total of 10 frames. Each frame allows a bowler to take one turn, with the opportunity for up to two rolls. In the tenth frame, bowlers may have a maximum of three rolls, contingent upon their performance in the initial two rolls.
• Two Rolls per Frame: As previously stated, each bowler is permitted a maximum of two rolls within a single frame. Should a bowler achieve a strike (knocking down all pins) on their first roll, their turn concludes. However, in the tenth frame, if a bowler scores two strikes, they are allowed a third roll. Nonetheless, the limit remains two rolls per frame for all other instances.

• Scoring: Achieving the Maximum Score of 300 The highest possible score in a bowling match is 300. This score is attained by achieving a perfect score of 30 points in each of the ten frames, which requires scoring a strike in each of the first nine frames and three strikes in the tenth frame. To accomplish this, a bowler must secure a total of 12 strikes throughout the game.
• Ball Release/Foul Line: When bowling, it is essential for the player to release the ball from behind the foul line, allowing it to roll into the playing lane. If a bowler crosses the foul line while delivering the ball, any pins knocked down will not contribute to their score, resulting in no points being awarded. Consequently, crossing the foul line is strictly prohibited; if a bowler steps on it, the roll is nullified, and the score is recorded as zero.
• Gutter Balls and Scoring: If a bowling ball rolls into the gutter and subsequently bounces out to knock down pins, those pins will not be counted towards the bowler’s score. The gutter is considered out of bounds, and once the ball has entered it, it cannot return to the lane. Therefore, that roll is deemed invalid.
• RWait for the Bowler on Your Right: In situations where two bowlers are preparing to bowl simultaneously, the bowler positioned to the right is to bowl first. This guideline is applicable when both bowlers approach the lane together and are ready to take their turns.
• Use of Proper Bowling Shoes: It is essential to wear appropriate bowling shoes to prevent accidents. Additionally, regular footwear can damage the wooden lanes; therefore, ensure that you either rent bowling shoes or bring your own.

TYPICAL BOWLING GAME
BOWLER 1	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10			←FRAME
FACTORING	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	TOTAL
Me	30	60	90	120	150	180	210	240	270	300			300
BOWLER 2	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10			←FRAME
FACTORING	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	9		TOTAL
You	30	60	90	120	150	180	210	240	250	289			289
BOWLER 3	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10			←FRAME
FACTORING	x	x	4 /	x	x	x	9 /	9 /	x	x	x	x	TOTAL
Friend #1	24	44	64	94	123	143	162	182	212	242			242
BOWLER 4	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10			←FRAME
FACTORING	9 /	9 /	9 /	9 /	9 /	9 /	9 /	9 /	9 /	9	/	x	TOTAL
Friend #1	19	38	57	76	95	114	133	152	171	191			191

Further Regulations & Guidelines:

• Players are permitted to select the ball that best suits their preferences.
• The bowling ball must remain unmodified throughout the duration of the game.
• A standard bowling game comprises ten frames for each player.
• In the initial frames, each player is allowed to roll two balls, except in the case of a strike.

A Free Bowling Calculator:

Visit the following website to use the free bowling calculator. Most lanes are computerized and you won’t be able to cheat. This calculator will make the concept much easier:

The Equipment:
THe Bowling Pins: A typical bowling pin measures 15 inches in height. The specifications for bowling pins are established by the United States Bowling Congress, which stipulates a maximum width of 4-3/4 inches at the broadest point and a weight of 3 pounds, 8 ounces, allowing for a variance (+/-) of 2 ounces. Generally constructed from hard maple, bowling pins feature a design that is broader at the base and tapers towards the top. To ensure stability, each pin incorporates two voids located at its widest section.
The Bowling Ball: The predominant form of bowling, ten-pin bowling utilizes balls that generally measure 8.59 inches  in diameter, possess a circumference of 27 inches, and weigh between 6 to 16 pounds (2.7 to 7.3 kg). The United States Bowling Congress oversees the specifications regarding the dimensions and spacing of the thumb holes, along with additional criteria such as surface hardness and texture. Balls that are lighter in weight typically feature smaller finger holes to better fit individuals with smaller hands.
The Bowling Lane: The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) establishes various standards for bowling lanes, encompassing dimensions, equipment specifications, and certification processes:

• Dimensions: A standard United States Bowling Congress bowling lane measures 60 feet in length from the foul line to the center of the head pin and has a width of 42 inches. Additionally, the lane features gutters on either side to capture wayward balls.
• Equipment: Bowling lanes designated for certified leagues and tournaments must be resurfaced in accordance with USBC guidelines. For instance, any drilled holes must not exceed a diameter of 1-9/16 inches or a depth of 4-1/2 inches.
• Certifications: Bowling centers aspiring to host USBC-certified events must adhere to the USBC Tiered Center Certification Program. This entails passing inspections carried out by USBC personnel and ensuring that all equipment utilized on the lanes is recognized as USBC approved. Furthermore, the United States Bowling Congress undertakes research to evaluate lane certification documentation and assess lanes nationwide to update requirements and specifications.

The Trends of the Fabulous Sport of Bowling:
Overall Trend: Over the past few decades, bowling has experienced a significant transformation. Previously, league bowling accounted for approximately 70 percent of a bowling center’s revenue; however, due to shifts in societal norms and lifestyle choices, this figure has now decreased to around 40 percent of total bowling business, and the trend appears to be on a downward trajectory.

U.S. Bowling Centers Families often seek new ways to have fun and break away from their routines. They might spend a day at an amusement park or go bowling with friends. In the U.S., the number of bowling alleys has been slowly declining, dropping from 3,470 in 2012 to 2,849 in 2022.

Recent Trends: In 2024, the United States is home to 2,646 bowling centers, reflecting a decrease of 2.04% compared to 2023. This figure has been on a downward trend over the years, having reached 3,470 bowling centers in 2012. Nevertheless, the bowling center sector has experienced growth in market size since the pandemic, as an increasing number of individuals opt to engage in bowling during their leisure time.

Pick a Popular U.S. Bowling Center to Enquire About Joining a League:
Great Places to Visit For Bowling: United States has many bowling centers. Pick a closeby center to enquire about joining your local league, here is a list of some suggested bowling centers in the United States. Visit the United States bowling centers by state | Bowling Wiki | Fandom website page HERE:

Bowling Centers List By State:

Bowling Centers State-By-State
Centers by State	No.	Rank
Alabama	49	24
Alaska	14	41
Arizona	63	20
Arkansas	40	31
California	224	2
Colorado	83	14
Connecticut	24	38
Delaware	13	42
Florida	150	9
Georgia	83	15
Hawaii	16	40
Idaho	48	25
Illinois	269	1
Indiana	136	10
Iowa	134	11
Kansas	78	16
Kentucky	63	21
Louisiana	33	34
Maine	20	39
Maryland	46	28
Massachusetts	41	30
Michigan	207	6
Minnesota	156	8
Mississippi	27	37
Missouri	114	12
Montana	45	29
Nebraska	65	18
Nevada	36	32
New Hampshire	8	44
New Jersey	65	19
New Mexico	29	36
New York	218	4
North Carolina	90	13
North Dakota	31	35
Ohio	213	5
Oklahoma	52	23
Oregon	54	22
Pennsylvania	193	7
Rhode Island	8	45
South Carolina	48	26
South Dakota	47	27
Tennessee	70	17
Texas	221	3
Utah	1	50
Vermont	10	43
Virginia	34	33
Washington	8	46
Washington, D.C.	2	49
West Virginia	3	48
Wisconsin	5	47
Wyoming	0	51
Figures are the latest available. Statistics courtesy of Bowling Wiki | Fandom

A Few Facts:
I am sharing a few facts, and more, some trivia, some not trivial. . .

FREEBIES For or About Bowling:
🎳 FREE Bowling: Fonts
🎳 FREE Bowling: Crafts + Printables
🎳 FREE Bowling: Sheet Music
🎳 FREE Bowling: FREE Bowling Score Sheets
🎳 FREE Bowling:  AT “Hey It’s Free”
🎳 FREE Bowling: Bowling Score Sheets
🎳 FREE Bowling: Bowling Score Sheet Templates

36 Printable Bowling Score Sheet Templates [& Examples]

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Happy National Bowling Day – 2024